The Odisha government has announced a cash reward of Rs 11 lakh each for members of the Indian women’s hockey team following their historic gold-medal victory at the 2026 Asian Games. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the reward on Saturday, with each member of the team’s support staff set to receive Rs 5.5 lakh. The announcement came a day after India defeated China 1-0 in the women’s hockey final in Gifu, Japan, ending a 44-year wait for the Asian Games gold medal. The Chief Minister’s Office said the reward was announced in recognition of the team’s performance, determination and commitment at the continental event.

Majhi congratulated the players and support staff for their achievement, which also secured India a direct qualification spot for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The Odisha government said it remains committed to supporting Indian hockey and nurturing sporting talent. The state has been closely associated with Indian hockey for several years and is the official sponsor of both the senior and junior men’s and women’s national teams. India’s victory over China on Friday marked the team’s first Asian Games women’s hockey gold since 1982. Lalremsiami scored the only goal of the final in the 10th minute with a reverse-stick strike, giving India an early lead.

China, the defending Asian Games champions and 2024 Olympic silver medallists, mounted sustained pressure during the match, but India’s defence held firm. Goalkeeper Savita Punia also made a crucial save from a penalty stroke as India protected its narrow advantage until the final whistle. The triumph also earned India a place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics through the Asian Games qualification route. The gold ended a long gap for the Indian women’s hockey team, whose previous Asian Games title had come in 1982.

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The victory was part of a strong day for India at the 2026 Asian Games, with the women’s hockey team contributing one of the country’s gold medals on Friday. India’s performance against China was built largely on disciplined defending after taking the early lead. The Odisha government’s announcement is separate from a reward already announced by Hockey India after the team’s Asian Games triumph. Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey announced Rs 10 lakh for each player and Rs 5 lakh for every member of the support staff.

Odisha Sports Department Secretary Bhupendra Singh Poonia confirmed that the state government’s reward would be over and above the amount announced by Hockey India. Odisha became the first Indian state to sponsor the national hockey teams in 2018 and has continued its association with the sport. The state government has committed to remaining the official sponsor of India’s senior and junior men’s and women’s hockey teams until 2036. The latest reward follows that long-term association and comes after the women’s team secured a landmark Asian Games title, Olympic qualification and India’s first women’s hockey gold at the continental event since 1982.

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